Lenten Reflection Day 29 ~ Monday Passion Week

Opening Prayers:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Confiteor (see Day 1).

Scripture Reading (John 5:17–20):

“But Jesus answered them: ‘My Father worketh until now; and I work.’ Hereupon therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said God was His Father, making Himself equal to God. Then Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Amen, amen I say unto you, the Son cannot do anything of Himself, but what He seeth the Father doing: for what things soever He doeth, these the Son also doeth in like manner. For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth Him all that He Himself doeth…’”

Reflection:

The Lord’s response to His critics in today’s Gospel is profound and deeply theological. He reveals a glimpse into the intimate unity between Himself and the Father. In declaring that He acts with the Father, Jesus is not merely claiming divine approval—He is professing divine equality and unity of will. This claim shocks His listeners but becomes the very foundation of our faith: Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man.

In Lent, we reflect not only on our sin but also on who Jesus truly is, because our repentance is grounded in His divinity. If He were only a prophet or moral teacher, we could not entrust our entire selves to Him. But because He is the Son of the eternal Father, who acts in perfect union with God - His mercy, His teaching, His sacrifice on the Cross are all endowed with divine power.

The verse also invites us into an attitude of spiritual sonship. Jesus models for us a life of perfect obedience and intimacy with the Father. He does “only what He sees the Father doing.” As baptized Christians, we too are called to watch the Father, to align our wills with His. Lent is a privileged time to ask: Am I living in imitation of Christ’s obedience? Do I seek to know and do the Father’s will each day?

Spend 10 minutes in silent prayer, simply placing yourself before the Father and asking, “Lord, what do You want of me today?” Be open to a prompting, a correction, or a small call to love. Let Christ teach you how to listen like a son or daughter.

Saintly Insight:

St. Ignatius of Loyola encourages us to pray for indifference, meaning a heart ready to do God’s will - no matter the cost. He writes, “We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure… but only desire and choose what is more conducive to the end for which we are created: to praise, reverence, and serve God.”

Jesus shows us what this looks like. His will is the Father’s will. Let that be our prayer today: “Father, not my will, but Thine be done.”

Closing Prayers:

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us bless the Lord.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R: Amen.